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Home > Archive > Lasik Eyes Surgery > October 2004 > Just want some info
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Just want some info
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| Aquatic DubMonkey 2004-10-10, 12:06 am |
| Hello all, I'm new here and am considering getting some
vision-correction surgery in the not too distant future.
I noticed a couple mentions of another surgery called PRK. Could
anybody give me some information on this, or personal experiences..
And please do not turn this into a mud-slinging match, I just need
some info that can be verified, and will assist me in making the best
choice as to what surgery to choose. Thanks
Graham
Phoenix,
Arizona
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| Glenn - USAEyes.org 2004-10-10, 12:06 am |
| There are three primary types of refractive surgery and they could be
classified by where they occur: on the cornea, in the cornea, and in
the anterior chamber of the eye.
The most popular of all refractive surgery techniques is LASIK. It
occurs within the cornea because of flap of corneal tissue is created,
moved out of the way, then the laser energy is applied to remove
tissue and change the refractive error. After the lasering is
finished, the flap is repositioned. The primary upside to LASIK is a
very quick visual recovery and almost no pain. The downside is the
possibility of flap complications during surgery or at any time in the
patient's life.
PRK and its cousins LASEK and Epi-LASIK are all done on the outer
surface of the cornea. The layer of outermost corneal cells are
removed, the laser does its stuff, and the cells either regrow (PRK),
or have been saved and are placed back over the treatment area (LASEK,
Epi-LASIK). The primary upside to PRK is that the outcomes tend to be
slightly better than LASIK and without the flap there is more
untouched tissue for corneal stability and no possibility of a flap
complication...ever. The downsides are a higher probability of
corneal haze for myopes above 6.00 diopters, and a slow visual
recovery with some discomfort. LASEK and Epi-LASIK tend to make the
visual recovery a little faster and with less pain, but it is still
not the instant gratification of LASIK.
Lens-based refractive surgery involves placing a lens within the eye
either in front of the iris, just behind the iris, or removing the
natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. The primary
advantage of lens based surgery is the ability to correct high
refractive error, good clarity of vision, and reasonably good
predictability. Downsides are that you are having full-blown surgery
within the eye, the lenses may cause undesired changes to the internal
components of the eye, and recover is a week or two in most
cases...sometimes longer.
There are other techniques, but these are the most popular.
You didn't ask for it, but IMO the surface ablation techniques of PRK,
LASEK, and Epi-LASIK are better long-term if you are a moderate to low
myope (under 6.00 diopters of correction and will have less than 40%
of total corneal thickness ablated), with LASIK following close behind
and lens-based only for those who are fully presbyopic and/or have
high refractive error. These are gross generalizations. Every
individual's circumstance will be different, calling for different
techniques and technologies.
Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org
http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org
I am not a doctor.
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| Ragnar Suomi 2004-10-10, 2:11 am |
| Rather than fight this battle for the 100th time, I would like you to
do something for me. Get a consultation from a LASIK surgeon and
mention PRK to him. Tell us what he says.
On 9 Oct 2004 12:17:14 -0700, rewindme@lunarmagazine.com (Aquatic
DubMonkey) wrote:
>Hello all, I'm new here and am considering getting some
>vision-correction surgery in the not too distant future.
>
> I noticed a couple mentions of another surgery called PRK. Could
>anybody give me some information on this, or personal experiences..
>And please do not turn this into a mud-slinging match, I just need
>some info that can be verified, and will assist me in making the best
>choice as to what surgery to choose. Thanks
>
> Graham
> Phoenix,
>Arizona
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| imom Mentor Brenda 2004-10-13, 10:08 pm |
| Your doctor should be able to give you all the information you need on each
procedure. Based on the problems with your eyes will rule in favor or rule
against certain procedures. That's my two cents for what it is worth. I had
the surgery done in June 2004 and I am thrilled!!
Brenda Baker, imom Mentor
http://BrendaBaker.internetmoms.net
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